Temple University Athletics
Odom, Oliveri and Popper Named Women's Gymnastics Team Captains for 2016
10.1.15 | Women's Gymnastics
PHILADELPHIA – Head coach Umme Salim-Beasley and the women's gymnastics coaching staff have announced the team captains for the 2016 season. Seniors Reagan Oliveri and Hannah Popper, and junior Briana Odom, have been selected as the Owls look to win their first conference title in program history.
"All three of them lead by example," said Salim-Beasley. "Their performance in the gym as well as their leadership qualities really bring the team together. Each one of them has their individual strengths that complement each other."
Oliveri is returning from a redshirt season in 2015 and looks to pick up where she left off following her 2014 campaign. Being named the team's MVP for 2014, Oliveri was able to earn career highs on all four events and earned USAG first team All-American honors after a 9.8 beam set in event finals earned her a silver medal. As a freshman, Oliveri posted a season high 9.6 on bars and earned the ECAC Coaches Choice award for the week of March 19. In the classroom, Oliveri earned a spot on Temple's Director's Honor Roll in 2015 as a biology major.
Popper has been a crucial member of the Owls' bar team, specializing on the event in both her freshman and junior years. Her career-high 9.6 mark was earned at the 2015 ECAC Championships. Popper, another biology major, was also named to Temple's Director's Honor Roll in 2015 for having a GPA above 3.0.
As a consistent all-around competitor, Odom has also earned USAG first team All-American status as a freshman with an eighth place finish overall at USAG Nationals. That same year, Odom competed in all 13 competitions and took the all-around title at the Eagle Invitational at Eastern Michigan with a score of 38.25. In 2015, Odom posted two-career highs on vault and beam scoring a 9.75 on vault and 9.775 on beam. She was also named to the ECAC All-Academic team following the 2015 season and earned a spot on Temple's President's Honor Roll for having a GPA of 3.5 or above as a psychology major.
"All three are very honored and excited," said Salim-Beasley. "Their teammates are also excited and fully support the decision to name them captains."
Together, Oliveri, Popper and Odom will lead a team of 17 gymnasts in an exciting 13–meet season that begins on Jan. 3, 2016 at Central Michigan University.
"All three of them lead by example," said Salim-Beasley. "Their performance in the gym as well as their leadership qualities really bring the team together. Each one of them has their individual strengths that complement each other."
Oliveri is returning from a redshirt season in 2015 and looks to pick up where she left off following her 2014 campaign. Being named the team's MVP for 2014, Oliveri was able to earn career highs on all four events and earned USAG first team All-American honors after a 9.8 beam set in event finals earned her a silver medal. As a freshman, Oliveri posted a season high 9.6 on bars and earned the ECAC Coaches Choice award for the week of March 19. In the classroom, Oliveri earned a spot on Temple's Director's Honor Roll in 2015 as a biology major.
Popper has been a crucial member of the Owls' bar team, specializing on the event in both her freshman and junior years. Her career-high 9.6 mark was earned at the 2015 ECAC Championships. Popper, another biology major, was also named to Temple's Director's Honor Roll in 2015 for having a GPA above 3.0.
As a consistent all-around competitor, Odom has also earned USAG first team All-American status as a freshman with an eighth place finish overall at USAG Nationals. That same year, Odom competed in all 13 competitions and took the all-around title at the Eagle Invitational at Eastern Michigan with a score of 38.25. In 2015, Odom posted two-career highs on vault and beam scoring a 9.75 on vault and 9.775 on beam. She was also named to the ECAC All-Academic team following the 2015 season and earned a spot on Temple's President's Honor Roll for having a GPA of 3.5 or above as a psychology major.
"All three are very honored and excited," said Salim-Beasley. "Their teammates are also excited and fully support the decision to name them captains."
Together, Oliveri, Popper and Odom will lead a team of 17 gymnasts in an exciting 13–meet season that begins on Jan. 3, 2016 at Central Michigan University.
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